The Northern Ireland Office awarded the family £1,400 compensation for Winston’s life, a move that still angers the family.

Sharon said: “We never wanted money, we only wanted justice and now we’ll never get it.

"The governments have tried to keep this a secret from us because they know the victims and victims’ families will be disgusted by their cowardice and arrogance.

"My mother Blanche is 81 now and still waiting for answers and she doesn’t want to leave this earth without justice for her son.

Winston Cross (Image: Trevor McBride)

“Winston was 18 when he was murdered the day before he was to join the British Army - and that’s the reason he was murdered too.

"As a family we know who sanctioned the murder but we have never seen justice served.

"If my mother had the strength she would walk into the home of the man who sanctioned Winston’s execution and look him straight in the eye. He’d be out the back door before she knocked twice.

"The public are not fooled by this nonsense. They know and understand what is going on and the politicians are afraid of our reaction and that’s why they’ve done this all so quietly."

Winston Cross was tortured and interrogated by the IRA for three days before he was taken to the hills above Derry and shot through the head.

Today, more than 40 years on, he is one of Northern Ireland’s forgotten victims, his murder a faded memory, his name unfamiliar to anyone but his relatives.

Family and friends gathered at the grave of Winston Cross at Glendermott Cemetery in Derry on the 40th anniversary of his murder. Pictured is his mother Blanche with daughter Sharon and sons Vance,Robin and Harry. (Image: Trevor McBride)

He was murdered alongside his pal Bert Slater, 29, who had been out drinking with him.

Three days later their bodies were found on a remote hillside on Sheriff’s Mountain Road between the border and Derry’s Creggan estate.

Both had been tortured, beaten and shot once through the back of the head.

Bert was partially hooded but the hood used on Winston had been discarded beside his body.

Sharon said: “I am comforted that Belfast Live remember my brother when the people who run my country do not. My family have had no peace in 41 years since Winston was murdered.

Blanche Cross (Image: Trevor McBride)

“Let those politicians in Stormont and Westminster walk a day in our shoes. They couldn’t cope with a minute of the pain and sorrow we live with.

"And all they’re doing is adding to it. The IRA who murdered my brother were scum and remain scum. The politicians who want to let them off with his murder are no better - in fact they’re just as bad in my eyes.”